Ansco Automatic Reflex Serial Numbers

There were two main types of the Ansco Reflex. The first type, introduced in 1947, did not come with a flash sync. The second type, introduced not long after, came with a flash sync post.

Owners of the first type could send their camera in to have it retrofitted with a flash sync. Some retrofitted type 1 cameras also have a feature of the type 2, a reinforced tripod socket. As a result, the only way to truly tell the two models apart is the serial number.

Some very early type 1 cameras had a black insert on the focus knob. It appears that Ansco switched to chrome inserts midway through type 1 production.

Many Reflexes have inked numbers stamped on the bottom inside of the back cover. Most are stamped with yellow ink: the numbers are usually outlined by the yellow ink. On at least one Reflex, there’s another set of numbers, in faint black ink, which makes them difficult to read.


Serial NumberTypeFlashKnobSocket RivetsStampsSoldDate
0001368
1
No
Black
Two rivet
7-47
0001439
1
Yes, on the left
Black
Two rivet
0001510
1
Yes
Black
0001672
1
Yes
158
2018
0001731
1
Yes
0001951
1
No
0001962
1
PC sync
Two rivet
7 / 10-47
0001985
1
No
Black
Two rivet
7 / 10-47
113
2019
0002060
1
Heiland
Two rivet
23 / 10-47
0002078
1
No
Black
Two rivet
0002514
1
No
Black
Two rivet
7 / 10-47
0002586
1
No
Two rivet
7 / 10-47
001308
1
Heiland
Chrome
6/47
002277
1
10003029
1
PC sync upper right
Three rivet
1002555
1
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
1002636
1
No
Three rivet
192
2018
1004315
1
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
37115
1004544
1
1004615
1
Yes
Three rivet
457
1004771
1
PC sync1
Chrome
1005313
1
No
Chome
Three rivet
2-0002176
2*
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
200.00
2018
2-1004810
2*
Yes
Chrome
2-1004963
2*
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
2-1005081
1
Yes
Three rivet
2-1005149
2*
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
39118
2-1005199
1
Yes
35-5 in pencil
2-1005206
2
Yes
Chome
Three rivet
2-2001184
2
Yes
Chome
Three rivet
2001063
2
Yes
Chome
2001071
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
2001218
2
2001220
2
Yes
2001321
2
Yes
Chrome
325
2018
2001474
2
Yes
2001477
2
Yes
Chrome
2001514
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
280
2018
2001693
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
2001702
2
Yes
Chrome
2001735
2
Yes
Three rivet
2001752
2
Yes
Chome
207
2020
2001867
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
2002037
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
2002079
2
Yes
Three rivet
79
2018
2002183
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
2002207
2
Yes
2002357
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
419 (yellow) 8949 (black)
2002485
2
Yes
Three rivet
2002556
2
Yes
2002732
2
Yes
Chrome
2002800
2
2002843
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
2003013
2
Yes
Chome
2003050
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
2003052
2
Yes
Chrome
104
2018
2003293
2
Yes
Chome
Three rivet
2003374
2
Yes
Chome
Three rivet
2003481
2
2003483
2
Yes
Chrome
50
2019
2003680
2
Yes
Three rivet
2003866
2
2003869
2
Yes
Chome
Three rivet
197
2020
2003871
2
Yes
Chrome
2004029
2
Yes
Three rivet
2004161
2
Yes (2nd post on left)
Chrome
Three rivet
04 27 (yellow) 11-1 (pencil)
150
2018
2004276
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
144
2018
2004439
2
Yes
Three rivet
2004520
2
Yes
Chrome
2004528
2
Yes
Three rivet
2004545
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
2004766
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
04 87 (yellow)
150
2018
2004769
2
Yes
129
2018
2004790
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
2004797
2
Yes
Three rivet
2004810
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
2004818
2
Yes
Chrome
Three rivet
82
2018
S 0001415
1
Yes
Chrome
Two rivet
7 / 7-47 and 330

2 Prefix (2-#######) Serial Numbers

We have no documentation about reflexes with serial numbers that are prefixed with a 2- other than the cameras themselves.

I suspect that these reflexes were the tail end of the type 1 production and were re-stamped with the prefix to indicate they were type 2 cameras.

If that’s true, it gives us a very strong hint about the total production run of the reflex. Coupled with the fact that the type 1 continued to be sold after the the type 2 was produced, it suggests Ansco expected to make at least 5,000 cameras.

I believe that they made and ordered parts for at least 5,000 reflexes. The 2- prefix suggests that the lens board was stamped with a serial number when it was made. These cameras were manufactured when raw materials were still in short supply and it would have made more sense to re-stamp a few hundred lens boards that to throw them out or recycle them.

The pattern of serial numbers to date suggests Ansco made about 10,000 reflexes.